Internet-based physical assessment of people with Parkinson’s disease is accurate and reliable

Telerehabilitation may be an alternative service delivery model for people with Parkinson’s Disease (PWP) who live in areas were traditional rehabilitation services are not readily accessible. The aim of this study was to determine the accuracy and reliability of performing remote functional assessments of PWP via telerehabilitation when compared to traditional face-to-face assessments. Twelve subjects were simultaneously examined by a face-to-face therapists and by a remote therapists via a telerehabilitation system. Telerehabilitation assessments were performed across a low-bandwidth (18 kbit/s) public switched telephone network (PSTN) Internet connection using a telerehabilitation system developed at the University of Queensland. The outcome measures evaluated included the Timed Stance Test, Timed up and go (TUG), Step Test , Steps in 360º turn, Berg Balance Scale, and the Lateral and Functional Reach. The accuracy and reliability of the system was determined by calculating Limits of agreements intervals, kappa statistic, intra-class correlation and percent agreement scores.